Haywire Mite is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.

Official card text

When this creature dies, you gain 2 life. , Sacrifice this creature: Exile target noncreature artifact or noncreature enchantment.

Complete guide

Haywire Mite is a small but mighty Insect that provides efficient utility for green decks. It serves as both a defensive tool and a specialized removal piece that deals with problematic noncreature permanents.

A Versatile Insect

Haywire Mite has two distinct abilities. First, it has a triggered ability that grants you 2 life whenever it dies, regardless of how it reaches the graveyard. Second, it has an activated ability that allows you to sacrifice it and pay one green mana to exile a target noncreature artifact or noncreature enchantment.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When you activate Haywire Mite's ability, you must first announce the target. The target must be a noncreature artifact or a noncreature enchantment. As a cost, you pay one green mana and sacrifice the Mite. Because the sacrifice happens during the activation, the 'dies' trigger will go on the stack on top of the exile ability. You will gain 2 life first, and then the target will be exiled if it is still legal.

Important Limitations

A common mistake is trying to target artifact creatures or enchantment creatures; however, Haywire Mite specifically specifies 'noncreature'. If your opponent's artifact becomes a creature before the ability resolves, the ability will fizzle because the target is no longer legal. Additionally, note that the life gain happens whenever it dies, even if it is destroyed by an opponent rather than sacrificed to its own ability.

When to Deploy

This creature is best utilized when your opponent relies on powerful artifacts or enchantments that aren't creatures, such as mana rocks or static enchantments. It is also a great target for search effects since it only costs one mana and can be activated the same turn it enters the battlefield.

Interaction examples

Fueling the Sacrifice

Llanowar Elves

With Llanowar Elves on the battlefield, you can tap the Elves for one green mana to pay for Haywire Mite's activated ability. This allows you to exile a noncreature artifact without tapping your lands, while also triggering the 2 life gain from the Mite dying.

Early Game Stabilization

Birds of Paradise

If you have Birds of Paradise, you can easily produce the green mana required for Haywire Mite's ability even in a multi-color deck. If an opponent attacks you with a small creature, you can block with the Mite and, before damage is dealt, sacrifice it to exile an opponent's enchantment. You will gain 2 life from the death trigger, helping you survive an early aggressive start.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.